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Minister clears the air over military deployment for elections

By News Express on 28/03/2015

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The Minister of State for Defence, Col. Austin Akobundu,(retd) has said that the deployment of military personnel for the general elections will not interfere with the electoral process.

In a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia on Thursday, Akobundu said that the military would only complement the police and other security agencies to maintain law and order during the polls.

The minister said: “I want to assure Nigerians of violence-free general elections, which will commence with the presidential poll on Saturday, March 28.

“Those arguing against the military coming out to maintain security during the elections should be rest assured that their presence will not interfere with the electoral process.

“It is the constitutional duty of the military not only to defend the territorial integrity of the country but assist the police, when necessary, to maintain law and order.

“Therefore, it will not be out of place if, in an effort to ensure violence-free and peaceful exercise, the military comes out to do their constitutional mandate.”

He said that the military authorities had put the necessary machinery in place to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

He advised Nigerians to come out en masse to exercise their franchise without fear of molestation.

“As we go to the poll to exercise our democratic right, it is pertinent to remind us that we have a date with history on Saturday,” the minister stated.